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Team News Manchester United know their chances of winning the title are slim; they have the same number of points as Manchester City but have an eight goal disadvantage.

The last time United faced Sunderland with the hope of the title on the last day of the season, they went into the game level on points but trailing on goal average, in 1968. The leaders were Manchester City and were crowned champions – after United lost the game against Sunderland.

United have 86 points, six more than last season – with a game to go – when they won the title. If they get 89 points it will be their best return since 2009 (90). United have also won 12 away games and a 13th would equal their highest number of away wins in the Barclays Premier League (also achieved in 1993-94, 1999-2000, 2001-02 and 2006-07).

United are unbeaten in 24 games in all competitions when Paul Scholes has scored (won 20, drawn four), since they lost to Benfica in the Champions League in December 2005.

In November, United won 1-0 against Sunderland thanks to an own goal by old boy Wes Brown. That victory extended United's unbeaten record against the Black Cats to 19 games. Overall, in 21 meetings in the Premier League, Sunderland have won once, at the old Roker Park, in March 1997. United have won 15 and drawn five of the other 20 clashes.

United should be aware though. Two years ago, Atletico Madrid won the Europa League and Chelsea won the FA Cup. Both feats have been repeated – and that season United finished second. Also in that campaign Arsenal finished third, Spurs fourth, Liverpool seventh – and Bayern Munich lost in the final of the Champions League!

Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck will both miss the game at Sunderland.

Smalling is set for a summer operation that will rule him out of Euro 2012, whilst Welbeck has not recovered from the injury that he sustained during last month's Manchester derby.

It means Phil Jones should start alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence as United look for the win that would allow them to retain the title if Manchester City fail to beat QPR.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have no fresh major injury concerns.

Former defender Wes Brown has returned to training following a lengthy lay-off with a knee problem dating back to the end of January, although the game is likely to come too soon for him.

Centre-half Titus Bramble (Achilles) is likely to be included in the squad once again after making the bench at Fulham last week, but full-back Kieran Richardson and midfielder Sebastian Larsson will miss out.

Betting: Home 13-2, Away 4-9, Draw 16-5.

Stat of the game: United are unbeaten in their last 19 games against Sunderland.